DOH Sec Duque says COA report demoralized agency

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the Commission on Audit's (COA) report on the Department of Health's (DOH) P67.32 billion COVID-19 fund use has demoralized the agency.

Duque claimed the DOH was denied due process and accused COA of destroying the agency's honor, but COA clarified that corruption was not an issue in its audit report.

The DOH chief defended his remark during a Senate hearing where he expressed confusion over the voluminous figures, calling it a 'natural reaction' to the enormity of the data presented.

Despite Duque's concerns, Senators Richard Gordon and Risa Hontiveros disagreed, asserting COA was fulfilling its mandate and that the DOH had ample time to respond.

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez noted it was premature to say the COA report damaged the DOH's image, as no final judgment of corruption has been made, though the agency must explain the fund usage.

Gordon expressed disappointment that the limited funds were not being spent properly, stressing the importance of efficient fund usage and effective pandemic response.